EVERY RUPEE OF PUBLIC MONEY MUST BE ACCOUNTED FOR AND UTILISED FOR ITS INTENDED PURPOSE: LOK SABHA SPEAKER

Lok Sabha Secretariat EVERY RUPEE OF PUBLIC MONEY MUST BE ACCOUNTED FOR AND UTILISED FOR

ITS INTENDED PURPOSE: LOK SABHA SPEAKER TRANSPARENCY AND ACCOUNTABILITY ARE CORNERSTONES OF DEMOCRACY; PACs MUST ENSURE THAT PUBLIC EXPENDITURE

TRANSLATES INTO TANGIBLE OUTCOMES FOR CITIZENS: LOK SABHA SPEAKER LOK SABHA SPEAKER CALLS FOR TIME-BOUND RESOLUTION OF LONG- PENDING AUDIT OBSERVATIONS; POLITICAL DIFFERENCES MUST GIVE WAY TO A SHARED COMMITMENT TO FINANCIAL PROBITY AND NATIONAL WELFARE LOK SABHA SPEAKER URGES PACs TO LEVERAGE AI, DATA ANALYTICS AND RESPONSIBLE TECHNOLOGY TO STRENGTHEN FINANCIAL OVERSIGHT AND PREVENT MISUSE OF PUBLIC FUNDS LOK SABHA SPEAKER INAUGURATES CONFERENCE OF CHAIRPERSONS OF PUBLIC ACCOUNTS COMMITTEES OF PARLIAMENT AND STATE/UT LEGISLATURES IN THIRUVANANTHAPURAM

Posted On: 03 NOV 2026 3:51PM by PIB Delhi Lok Sabha Speaker Shri Om Birla today called upon the Public Accounts Committees (PACs) of Parliament and State Legislatures to strengthen their role as guardians of public money, emphasising that every rupee drawn from the public exchequer must be properly accounted for and utilised fully for the purpose for which it was sanctioned. He said that transparency and accountability are the cornerstones of democracy and that the ultimate measure of public expenditure must be the positive difference it makes to the lives of ordinary citizens.

Inaugurating the Conference of Chairpersons of Public Accounts Committees of Parliament and State Legislatures in Thiruvananthapuram, Shri Birla said that the PAC is a vital institution of parliamentary democracy, entrusted with the responsibility of examining public expenditure, ensuring financial discipline and holding the Executive accountable. Heobserved that the responsibility of the Committees extends beyond scrutiny of accounts and audit findings; they must also assess whether public funds have achieved their intended objectives and delivered the outcomes for which they were allocated.

Expressing concern over audit observations remaining unresolved for 10, 15 or even 20 years, Shri Birla said that such prolonged pendency raises serious questions about the effectiveness of the system. He called for a concrete, systematic and time-bound action plan to ensure that audit observations and the action arising from them are addressed without undue delay. The Union and State Governments, he said, must work together to strengthen the mechanisms of monitoring, review and follow-up so that accountability is not merely established on paper but translated into timely corrective action. Highlighting the distinctive democratic convention of appointing a Member of the Opposition as the Chairperson of the Public Accounts Committee, Shri Birla said that this practice reflects the maturity, inclusiveness and strength of India's parliamentary democracy. The representation of all political parties in the Committee ensures that different perspectives are brought to the examination of public expenditure. He described this arrangement as a shining example of the ability of democratic institutions to rise above political considerations in pursuit of a common national objective.

Lok Sabha Speaker noted that Members may belong to different political parties, hold different ideologies and have differing views on policies and governance; however, when it comes to safeguarding public money, their responsibility is shared. The PAC must function through dialogue, cooperation, consensus and collective responsibility. Its purpose is not to criticise any individual or government, but to ensure that public funds are neither misused nor wasted, that irregularities and leakages are prevented, and that the Executive remains accountable to the people. He emphasised that the trust of citizens is the foundation of democratic governance. Every rupee of public money represents the aspirations and contribution of the people and must therefore be spent with the highest standards of financial propriety.

Lok Sabha Speaker stressed that the assessment of public expenditure must not remain confined to figures, allocations and utilisation certificates. In the case of infrastructure projects, Committees should, wherever appropriate, visit project sites and examine the quality of work, its timely completion and adherence to prescribed standards. He said that such direct assessment would help establish whether the money spent has resulted in the intended infrastructure and whether public resources have been used effectively. Similarly, in the case of social welfare schemes, it is essential to go beyond the amount spent and examine the actual impact of the expenditure. The ultimate objective of public expenditure, he said, must be social good and public welfare.

Referring to the important role of the Comptroller and Auditor General of India, Shri Birla said that the examination of CAG audit findings, scrutiny of Action Taken Reports and follow-up on recommendations are integral to the functioning of the PAC. However, the larger purpose of this exercise is to ensure that public money is used transparently, efficiently and strictly in accordance with its sanctioned purpose. Where systemic improvements are required, the Committees should provide appropriate guidance and recommend corrective measures. He called upon the PACs of Parliament and State Legislatures to use the conference as an effective platform for sharing experiences, ideas, innovations and best practices. He said that the practices adopted by States that havedemonstrated greater transparency, stronger financial oversight and more effective evaluation should be shared so that others can learn from them. He underlined that healthy competition among States in strengthening accountability mechanisms would contribute to better governance across the country.

Stressing the need for a future-oriented approach, the Speaker said that changing circumstances require the Committees to continuously strengthen their methods of scrutiny and oversight. Technology, data analytics and Artificial Intelligence can play an important role in analysing large volumes of expenditure data, identifying emerging trends, detecting potential financial irregularities and improving the monitoring of audit observations. He also stressed the importance of citizen participation in governance and said that greater transparency in the use of public resources strengthens public confidence in democratic institutions. A system in which public expenditure is closely monitored, accounts are thoroughly scrutinised and corrective action is taken in a timely manner is essential for ensuring that government resources serve the people effectively. He observed that the scope and responsibilities of the PAC have evolved over the years. Apart from examining audit reports and public accounts, the Committee has made significant contributions through its recommendations on public expenditure, the functioning of government departments, administrative reforms and programme evaluation.

Recalling the recent centenary celebrations of the PAC, he said that the foundational principles of the Committee must continue to guide its future priorities and that the commitments made on that occasion should be translated into concrete improvements in its functioning. The Speaker further emphasised that schemes implemented through Centre-State partnerships and public-private partnerships require effective financial scrutiny within the respective mandates of the Committees.

Shri Birla expressed confidence that the deliberations would lead to constructive recommendations and concrete outcomes to strengthen financial discipline, transparency and accountability. He said that the resolutions emerging from the conference should guide improvements in monitoring, audit follow-up and the quality of public expenditure, with the shared objective of ensuring that every rupee of public money is utilised responsibly and for its intended purpose.

The Inaugural Session was graced and addressed by the Chief Minister of Keralam Shri V.

D. Satheesan,; Deputy Chairman, Rajya Sabha, Shri Harivansh; Chairman, Public Accounts Committee, Lok Sabha, Shri K. C. Venugopal; Speaker, Keralam Legislative Assembly, Shri Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan, and Chairperson, PAC of Keralam Legislative Assembly, Shri K. N. Balagopal. The Session was attended by Chairpersons and Members of Public Accounts Committees of State Legislatures, and other distinguished dignitaries.

On this occasion, Public Accounts Committee Conference Souvenir 2026 was also released.

FINANCIAL SCRUTINY MUST BE OUTCOME-DRIVEN TO ENSURE ACCOUNTABILITY, SAYS CHAIRPERSON OF PUBLIC ACCOUNTS COMMITTEE OF PARLIAMENT OF INDIA; CALLS FOR TIMELY AUDITS AND BALANCED COVERAGE OF PUBLIC WELFARE PROGRAMMES Delivering Welcome Address, Chairman of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) of Parliament of India, Shri K.C. Venugopal, underscored the need to strengthen legislative financial scrutiny to ensure that public expenditure translates into tangible outcomes,improved service delivery and meaningful benefits for citizens. Emphasising that accountability must go beyond the mere examination of expenditure, he called for a more outcome-oriented approach to parliamentary oversight, ensuring that every public rupee is spent judiciously and delivers its intended purpose. He also proposed that at least one PAC Report, along with the Government’s Action Taken thereon, be discussed during every Session of Parliament. He also underscored the importance of timely audits, balanced coverage of various sectors and closer scrutiny of flagship welfare programmes and major infrastructure projects to ensure that public resources serve the larger public interest.

Thiruvananthapuram, Keralam म आयोजत हो रहे दो दवसीय Conference of Chairpersons of Public Accounts Committees of Parliament of India and State/UT Legislatures के उाटन समारोह को संबोधत कया। मुझे ख़ुशी ह ै क सांस्कृतक और प्राकृतक रूप स े मनोहारी प्रदेश केरलम क इस धरती पर, जहां लोकतांत्रक परंपराए समृद्ध रही ह; संसद और राज्य वधानमंडला क PAC के प्रतनध एक साथ बैठकर “Audit, Accountability and Good Governance - The Evolving Role of the PAC” वषय पर वचार-वमश कर रहे ह। भारतीय लोकतांत्रक व्यवस्था म Public Accounts Committee (लोक लेखा समत) का एक एे तहासक महत्व रहा है। आजादी स े पहल े भी इस समत का अस्तत्व था और स्वतत्रं ता के बाद भी हमने एक महत्वपणू ससं दीय परंपरा वकसत क, जसके अंतगत वपक्ष के वरष्ठ सदस्य को इस समत का सभापत बनाया जाता है। इसका उश्े य यह सु नश्चत करना ह ै क सावजनक धन के उपयोग क नष्पक्ष और प्रभावी नगरानी हो। यह हमारे लोकतंत्र क एक बड़ी ताकत है, जसम सभी राजनीतक दला के प्रतनध मलकर काय करत े ह। ससं द और राज्य वधान मंडल कानून बनात े ह तथा बजट पारत करते ह। बजट के माध्यम स े यह सु नश्चत कया जाता ह ै क जनता का धन Infrastructure Development, Social Welfare Schemes और जनकल्याण के वभन्न काया पर खच हो। इस धन का नधारत उश्े या के अनुरूप उपयोग सु नश्चत करन े म Public Accounts Committee क महत्वपणू भू मका होती है। मेरा मानना है क सामाजक कल्याण क योजनाआ म केवल बजट आवंटन और धनराश खच होना ही पयाप्त नह ह,ै बल्क उस धन के उपयोग के बाद समाज पर उसका क्या प्रभाव पड़ा, इसका मूल्यांकन करना भी Public Accounts Committee क जम्मेदारी है। इस दशा म यह समत दल स े ऊपर उठकर ससं दीय नष्पक्षता के साथ काम करती है। क्याक Public Accounts Committee के काय म सभी का साझा उश्े य एक ही होता ह ै - शासन म जवाबदेही सुनश्चत करना और कायपालका म पारदशता लाना। देश के वभन्न प्रदेशा स े इस सम्मेलन म शामल हुए PAC के सभापतया और सदस्या का आान कया क बदलत े परप्रेक्ष्य म PAC के कामकाज को प्रभावी बनान े के लए हम बहे तर Technology का उपयोग करना होगा। Data Analysis और Artificial Intelligence के माध्यम स े हम आंकड़ा का बेहतर वेषण कर सकत े ह, खच के रुझाना को समझ सकत े ह, सभं ावत जोखमा क पहचान कर सकत े ह और वीय अनयमतताआ पर प्रभावी ढंग से अंकुश लगा सकत े ह। हालांक Technology के साथ जवाबदेही और मानवीय संवेदनशीलता का भी समन्वय आवश्यक है, ताक सरकारी धन का उपयोग केवल योजनाआ तक सीमत न रहे, बल्क समाज के कल्याण और आम नागरका के जीवन म सकारात्मक परवतन लाने म भी सहायक हो। मुझे आशा ह ै क दो दना के इस सम्मेलन म ससं द तथा राज्य वधानमंडला क Public Accounts Committees अपन े अनुभवा, वचारा और दृकोणा को साझा करगी, एक-दूसरे क best practices से सीखगी, उपयोगी सझु ाव सामने आएगे; जसस े हम अपनी लोक लेखा समतया को और अधक मजबूत तथा प्रभावी बनान े क दशा म आग े बढ़गे। — Om Birla (@ombirlakota) November 3, 2026Conference of Chairpersons of Public Accounts Committees of Parliament of India and State/UT Legislatures म सहभागता के लए केरलम वधान सभा भवन पहुचँ न े पर राज्य के मुख्यमंत्री ी V.D. Satheesan, माननीय वधान सभा अध्यक्ष ी Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan, ससं द क लोक लखे ा समत (PAC) के सभापत ी K.C. Venugopal, केरलम लोक लखे ा समत (PAC) के सभापत ी K.N. Balagopal एवं अन्य गणमान्या ारा कए गए स्वागत स े अभभतू ।ँ @vdsatheesan @kcvenugopalmp #PublicAccountsCommittee — Om Birla (@ombirlakota) November 3, 2026 आज स े तरुवनंतपरु म, केरलम म आयोजत होन े जा रही Conference of Chairpersons of Public Accounts Committees of Parliament of India and State/UT Legislatures म सहभागता करूं गा। लोक लखे ा समतया (Public Accounts Committees) के इस दो दवसीय राीय सम्मेलन म ससं द तथा राज्या और कद्रशासत प्रदेशा क वधानसभाआ क लोक लेखा समतया के सभापत एवं सदस्य भाग लग े। “Audit, Accountability and Good Governance - The Evolving Role of the PAC” वषय पर कद्रत इस सम्मेलन म सावजनक व्यय म पारदशता, वीय जवाबदेही और वधायी नगरानी को और अधक प्रभावी बनान े के वभन्न पहलुआ पर वचार-वमश होगा। आशान्वत ँ क लोकतांत्रक सस्ं थाआ म जवाबदेही को सदृु ढ़ करन े और सशु ासन के उश्े या को आग े बढ़ाने क दशा म यह सम्मेलन महत्वपूण अवसर होगा। तरुवनंतपुरम, केरलम l 3–4 नवंबर 2026

Live Link : https://t.co/aea47ezkOy — Om Birla (@ombirlakota) November 3, 2026 *** AM (Release ID: 2332043)Visitor Counter : 603

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